BY NANCY KELLY
Kings County Advertiser/Register
The Greenwood village commission would like to see more involvement by the business community in the operation of the Kingston Visitor Information Centre (VIC).
At their March 17 meeting, commissioners reviewed a request from the Kingston village commission for $5,000 in operational funds for the tourist bureau's 2010 season. All were in agreement the request was excessive.
Despite receiving "a detailed package" of information from the neighbouring commission, Greenwood commissioner Frank Martyn said there were "still a lot of unanswered questions" about the request for funding.
Chairman Al Belliveau echoed Martyn's concerns: "We don't know how the place is run, how the money we give them is spent."
Over the past few years, Greenwood has contributed funds to VIC operations. Kingston's request is usually for $5,000 and Greenwood generally responds with a donation of $3,000 or $4,000. This year, Kingston plans to widen its appeal for funding by requesting $5,000 from Kings County, $1,000 from the Village of Aylesford and $2,900 from the area's tourism association, Destination South West Nova Scotia.
"Some of that is new money, but they are still asking us for $5,000," said Martyn. He is also concerned Kingston has budgeted for an investment of $5,200 in the VIC.
"That is just $200 more than what they expect from us.”
After discussion, the commission approved a $3,000 donation to the VIC, with Belliveau suggesting Kingston "pursue the business community" for the additional $2,000.
"Why should the taxpayer carry this burdent? Only the merchants benefit from the VIC."
The Central Annapolis Valley Chamber of Commerce has indicated an interest in taking on a management role in the VIC, but Belliveau reported there has been nothing submitted on paper for the commission to consider.
